Conservation Plans
◆ The Ecological Education Park
Taiwan Wild Bird Federation became a member of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative in 2021. Taiwan Wild Bird Federation is the largest bird conservation alliance in Taiwan, and is composed of 21 civil organizations that are concerned about bird conservation and the environment. The Habitat Education Park located in Guantian District, Tainan City is operated by the Tainan Bird Watching Society, a member of the alliance group. It is a successful example of Pheasant-tailed Jacana conservation in Guantian, Tainan, and a good model for promoting the concept of the Satoyama Initiative.
In the past, pheasant-tailed jacanas were once found in wetlands throughout the plains of Taiwan. However, due to land development, changes in agricultural patterns, and the widespread use of pesticides, the habitat of pheasant-tailed jacanas has gradually disappeared. In the 1990s, there were fewer than 50 pheasant-tailed jacanas left. The pheasant-tailed jacanas prefer to inhabit wetlands where floating plants grow, and in the absence of natural habitat, the fields of water chestnuts provide a suitable environment for the pheasant-tailed jacanas to breed and forage. Most of these remaining fields of water chestnuts are in Guantian, Tainan, which is the most critical habitat for pheasant-tailed jacanas. Maintaining the symbiotic relationship between the pheasant-tailed jacanas and fields of water chestnuts while also supporting the farmers' economy is an important issue.
Through cooperation with farmers, the staff at The Jacana Ecological Education Park encourages the use of organic and ecologically-friendly traditional farming methods to reduce the impact on land and biodiversity. The park also helps farmers understand government regulations and subsidies for biodiversity protection, and assists them in developing ecological agro-tourism. Additionally, the Green Label mechanism is actively promoted to encourage consumers to purchase agricultural products grown on ecologically-friendly traditional farms. The Jacana Ecological Education Park also assists farmers in promoting and selling their agricultural products. Moreover, The Jacana Ecological Education Park develops environmental education topics, emphasizing the importance of rural landscapes and their close relationship with biodiversity. Since 2016, more than 1,000 pheasant-tailed jacanas have been steadily recorded in Tainan each year. The park's example incorporates the goals of the Satoyama Initiative into conservation efforts, making many contributions to Taiwan's birds and natural environment.